Hope for more 1-2-1 swim lessons for disabled children

A charity providing 1-2-1 swimming lessons to children with disabilities wants to expand its provision after a successful first three months.

National disability swimming charity Level Water provides lessons at Dartmouth Leisure Centre, Devon, and swimming teachers say they have noticed the growth in their students' abilities and confidence.

David, whose daughter has neurological challenges, said: "It's fantastic to see how much she has come on in three months with someone who actually understands her needs, it's just made the absolute world of difference."

The charity provides lessons for 33 students, with an additional 40 on a waitlist, which it hopes to accommodate at Totnes and Ivybridge.

Swimming teacher at Dartmouth Leisure Centre, Alastair Mullen, said the sessions provided "valuable pool time in a virtually empty pool, space to learn without distractions and in a unique way to them".

"Swimming is an access sport which gives you safety and security in the water, so it opens up surfing, sailing, all the other sports as well as being one in it's own right," he added.

Noah, 14, has cerebral palsy and has been swimming with Level Water for three months.

He said the lessons had helped with his fitness, his concentration in class, and it had "built my strength up a lot, and now me and my family are able to go on the canoes on Dartmoor and Dartmouth and my mum and dad feel more comfortable".

Polly, Noah's mum, said having the lessons at the pool they go to as a family was really important.

"He's familiar with the surroundings and it's just down the road, because for children with additional needs, driving a long distance after a full day of school is not suitable," she said.

Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.